By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Home Sweet Home Ministries reached a new record for donations during the organization’s May Community Challenge.

Home Sweet Home Ministries spokesperson Leslie Bunge explained the May Community Challenge was a fundraising effort that combined regular donors of the organization with the larger community.

“They May Community Challenge is where a group of generous donors to Home Sweet Home Ministries get together and pledge their support and this year it was $81,500,” Bunge said. “They challenged the community to match those donations.”

Bungee noted the community took up the challenge and almost matched the donations from the group of donors.

“Overall we had a very good response, we were very pleased with the results,” Bungee explained. “All together we were able to raise over $158,000.”

Funds raised during the May Community Challenge will be used to support the services and programs Home Sweet Home Ministries offers at its shelter. Bunge explained the donations illustrate a community that looks after the people in need.

“We are just beyond blessed for all the community’s support this year, this is our highest fundraising goal to date, so we are so pleased to be able to do well with it,” said Bunge. “We’re so glad to see so many neighbors caring about other neighbors in the community.”

Bunge mentioned Home Sweet Home Ministries has another fundraiser coming up this month. She said the Summer Supper Meals to Go will provide ribs, beans, and a corn muffin to those who purchase a $15 ticket at www.eventbrite.com. The event will be on June 23 from 3-5 p.m.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].